No Party Preference Voters in California didn’t automatically get a choice for the presidential primary. Here’s how they can.

If you’re a California voter registered with No Party Preference, or NPP, your ballot probably arrived without a choice for President.

That’s because primary elections are a way for political parties to choose their nominee for president. If you don’t want to register with a political party, your options are limited. 

But you do have options.

In this year’s election, these parties will allow NPP voters to request what’s called a crossover ballot to vote in their primaries:

• Democratic
• American Independent
• Libertarian

These political parties require voters to re-register under a new party:

• Republican
• Green
• Peace and Freedom

To request a crossover ballot in Sacramento County, return a crossover application (available in ​English, Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese​​) by mail, email [email protected] or call (916) 875-6155.

To check your voter registration status or change your registration, go to the Secretary of State’s website. 

If you request a new ballot, the county will advise you to destroy the first ballot you received in the mail. Only one ballot will be counted per voter.

Voters who request a crossover ballot will not be re-registered with that political party and will remain No Party Preference voters.

The last day to request a crossover ballot to be mailed is Feb. 27. The last day to change your registration and have a ballot mailed is Feb. 20. You can also go to any Vote Center to request a crossover ballot or conditionally change your registration up until polls close on election day, March 5.